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Toddler dies after being hit by truck outside her home

A toddler who was in the road outside her house died Monday when she was hit by a truck, Alaska State Troopers say.

Denice Heckman, 22 months, of the Yukon River village of Pilot Station was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers say she was struck at about 7 p.m. by a slow-moving 2003 Dodge truck driven by a 38-year-old man from Pilot Station. They do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

No charges are expected at this time, said Beth Ipsen, troopers spokeswoman.

"The girl's mother had very briefly gone in the house and left her daughter alone," Ispen said. "However, this road is rarely traveled and it's unexpected for someone to drive by. The driver was going about 4-5 mph at the time."

Ispen said both the mother and driver are "understandably devastated."